Free Republic

More Than 1 Million Families Will Get a Supplemental Payment of up to $330 per Child Through the Empire State Child Credit $2.6 Billion Delivered to New Yorkers in Supplemental Payments Since 2022

The White House on Wednesday announced the latest in a series of aid packages for Ukraine that includes up to $300 million worth of air defense systems, ammunition and other defense equipment. The security assistance package represents the 39th drawdown of equipment from the Department of Defense inventories, the Pentagon said. The package includes Patriot air defense batteries, Stinger anti-aircraft systems, tank ammunition and a list of other equipment, according to the Pentagon. In total, the U.S. has committed more than $38.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of the Biden administration, including more than $37.6 billion...

On some days, the pilots with Great Lakes Airlines fire up a twin-engine Beechcraft 1900 at the Ely, Nev., airport and depart for Las Vegas without a single passenger on board. And the federal government pays them to do it. Federal statistics reviewed by The Associated Press show that in 2010, just 227 passengers flew out of Ely while the airline got $1.8 million in subsidies. The travelers paid $70 to $90 for a one-way ticket. The cost to taxpayers for each ticket: $4,107. Ely is one of 153 rural communities where airlines get subsidies through the $200 million Essential...

Coachella Valley Mosquito and Vector Control general manager Donald Gomsi receives a $150,000 per year in salary. He also receives a company automobile, 60 vacation days per year and a $100,000 life insurance policy. Gomsi is entitled to the same retirement plans offered to all full-time district employees. He also gets a 401(a) retirement plan to which the district contributes 4 percent of the required contribution. Gomsi receives this pay for managing a district with 49 employees and a budget of under $9 million per year. In comparison, Coachella Valley Unified School District Superintendent Foch "Tut" Pensis makes less -...

Gaining entry into the lucrative but little-known industry has required little more than a driver's license, an inspected van, auto insurance and valid rates on file.

Despite an overhaul of Pentagon purchasing practices under reform-minded Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, an intelligent thief still can find a way to profit from day-to-day business transactions at the Defense Department, experts said Monday. The latest example of the system's vulnerability came from Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sherry Pierre, who used a military credit card to pay for breast enhancement surgery. Pierre also made improper purchases of a car, a motorcycle and other items totaling almost $130,000 in unauthorized sprees during 2000 and 2001. Despite the abuses, the system is much improved since senior Pentagon officials announced a crackdown on...